Box opener



Aug. 2o, 1929.

G. J. PFlsT-ER BOX OPENER Filed Aug. 11, 1928 gwuentoi 550555 JHK/575APatented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES GEORGE J'. PFISTER, OF WAUWATOSA, WISCONSIN.

BOX OPENER.

Application filed August 11, 1928. Serial No. 299,092.

This invention relates to box openers. One object of the presentinvention is the provision of a simple and improved prying tool designedprimarily for the more expeditious removal of the tops or sides of boxesalthough also capable of use in the removal of boards from objects towhich they may have been nailed or otherwise attached. Other objects andadvantages will appear l0 from the following description of anillustrative embodiment of the invention.

For purposes of illustration and explanation the invention will be shownand described as embodied in a claw hammer although the hammer portionper se does not constitute an essential feature thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a claw hammer constructed inaccordance with the present invention andillustrating the use thereof.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2 2.

l Fig. 8 is a view in elevation looking from 7' right to left in 'Figure1 with the handle broken away.

The claw hammer shown comprises a body portion 10 of usual formsoclreted to receive the handle 11 and carrying the usual driving iead12 constituting an integral part thereof. In this instance however, thebody portion is provided with three integral claws 13, 14 and 15 insteadof the usual pair of nail pulling claws with which such hammers areordinarily provided. All three claws are longitudinally curved andproject downv wardly and inwardly and the bases 16 thereof merge witheach other and with the body portion to provide the usual curved fulcrum'-0 surface 17. TheV side claws 14 and 15 are somewhat shorter than thecentral claw 13 and preferably terminate in narrow end edges 1S tofacilitate entry thereof under the heads of nails or the like, and nailengaging slots 19 are preferably provided between the side and centralclaws.

The greater length of the central claw permits the free end 2() thereofto be projected beneath the top board a of a box with the end of one qfthe side claws resting upon the exposed edge b of the box, as indicatedin Figures 1 and 2. By lifting the handle 11 the hammer may be rockedabout the end of the engaged side claw to force the end of the long clawupwardly and thus pry the board a loose. When operating along one sideof the box one side claw serves as a fulcrum and when operating alongthe other side of the box the other side claw performs that function. Y

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the inventionhereinabove spe cifically described without departing from orsacrificing the advantages of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim :er

1. In a box opener the combination of a body portion having a handle, alongitudinally curved prying claw projecting from said body portion, andlongitudinally curved side claws disposed at opposite sides of saidprying claw to form fulcrums therefor, said prying claw being longerthan said side claws to permit entry thereof beneath a board to belifted.

2. In a box opener the combination of a body portion having a handle, alongitudinally curved prying claw project-ing from said body, and a pairof longitudinally curved claws disposed at opposite sides of said pryingclaw to form fulcrums therefor, all of said claws merging into eachother and said body portion to form a curved fulcrum surface, saidprying claw being longer than said side claws to permit entry thereofbeneath a board to be lifted.

3. In a box opener the combination of a body portion having a handle, arelatively long longitudinally curved prying claw projecting from saidbody, a pair of relatively short claws disposed at opposite sides ofsaid prying claw to form fulcrums therefor, and nail pulling slotsformed between each of said short claws and said long claw.

4. In a box opener the combination of a body portion having a handle, arelatively long longitudinally curved prying claw projecting from saidbody, a pair of relatively short claws disposed at opposite sides ofsaid prying claw to form fulcrums therefor, said short claws terminatingin narrow end edges, and nail pulling slots extending in wardly fromeach end edge between each short claw and long claw.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 7th day of August,v1928.

GEORGE J. PFI STER.

